Anderson, J. T., & Collins, D.
Economic Government Homelessness
Housing Studies, 29(7), 959-976
2014
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This article examines the increased prevalence of urban homelessness among Indigenous peoples in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand within the last 10-15 years.
It attributes this rise to factors such as housing costs outpacing incomes and broader economic and policy forces exacerbating housing needs. The paper highlights that Indigenous homelessness in cities is part of a larger urban housing crisis, deeply embedded in the historical context of colonisation, dispossession, and issues related to land, poverty, family, and identity. The research involves a three-country scoping review, systematically searching academic and grey literatures from the specified countries. It focuses on the distinct Indigenous minorities in these nations and their urbanisation, shared legacy of British colonisation, and experiences of displacement leading to relative disempowerment and deprivation. This study offers insight into the systemic and complex nature of Indigenous homelessness in urban settings. By situating the issue within the broader historical context of colonisation and dispossession, the article emphasises the unique challenges faced by Indigenous populations in high-income countries. The authors’ approach of a three-country scoping review provides a rich comparative analysis, highlighting the similarities and differences in the experiences of Indigenous homelessness across Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The inclusion of both academic and grey literature in their methodology ensures a thorough exploration of the topic.
